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Former Gators great Wes Chandler says he likes the direction Jim McElwain has the program going
By John Hollis
Published:
Former Florida star receiver Wes Chandler says that he likes what he’s seen so far from Jim McElwain, and is confident the first-year Gators coach has the Gators back on track.
“I think he’s done a fantastic job,” Chandler said Wednesday from Atlanta, where he was being feted at the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the Hall’s Class of 2015. “He’s changed the culture and gotten everybody in the program to buy in.”
Chandler was an All-American for the Gators during his playing days in Gainesville from 1974-77 before embarking on an 11-year NFL career that included four Pro Bowl appearances.
His love for the alma mater has remained strong over the years and he plans to be in attendance Friday when Florida faces Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl.
“They’ve got a chance,” Chandler said. “They’ve got a good chance to win a football game. When you’ve got so many quality players on the defensive side of the football like they do, all you need to do is just score a few points.”
But that hasn’t been all that easy as of late.
Florida defied the preseason prognosticators to win the SEC East crown and reach the SEC Championship Game for the first time since 2009, but limped into the season’s end with consecutive losses to Florida State in the regular season finale and to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game in which they managed to collectively score just one offensive touchdown.
The offensively-challenged Gators’ last win came Nov. 21, when they needed overtime to escape Florida Atlantic at home, 20-14.
Chandler, 59, was quick to credit McElwain for making the best of the tough situation that followed quarterback Will Grier’s suspension in October for taking performance-enhancing steroids. Sophomore Treon Harris assumed the helm in his absence, but has struggled mightily in the passing game as Florida’s offense has virtually grounded to a virtual halt.
“If it weren’t for the quarterback situation, I think Florida would have had a chance at the playoff,” Chandler said. “There wasn’t much Coach McElwain could do at that point.”
Grier has since announced plans to transfer, but the Gators figure to significantly upgrade at the quarterback with their incoming recruiting class.
Chandler was among the 17 inductees into the College Hall of Fame in 2015, joining standouts including former Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth, former Nebraska linebacker Trev Alberts, former Washington offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy, former Kentucky defensive end Art Still and former Texas running back Ricky Williams.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
